Leland wants residents to be able to vote on liquor sales

Published: Sunday, July 13, 2014 at 8:19 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, July 13, 2014 at 8:19 p.m.

Leland is hoping residents can prompt legislators to change their decision on withholding a vote this year that would allow the town to sell liquor.

The "call to action" petition on the town's website asks area representatives to consider giving Leland authority to hold a referendum on giving the council power to create an ABC board and store.

In June, Susi Hamilton, D-New Hanover, said that she and Frank Iler, R-Brunswick, co-sponsors of the bill, decided not to pursue the legislation this year after neighboring Belville objected to Leland's plans.

"We want our legislators to know what our people want," said Leland Mayor Brenda Bozeman. "And to let them know their feelings on not having an ABC store."

Belville has been intent on stopping the legislation, which it calls unfair.

Mayor Mike Allen has said it gives Leland the power to create a store while ignoring the rules created for the other 18 towns in the county.

Leland received an exception in 2005 to bypass a local law that says any new ABC stores in Brunswick County cannot be within seven miles of a municipality's store.

"If we are going to do that, I ask legislators to be fair to all towns," Allen said.

The town also is sending a letter, dated July 11, to Hamilton saying Leland's letter paints Belville's intentions negatively.

"As is often the case with our sister municipality, the solicitation paints Belville in a ‘bad light,'" the letter reads. "This letter is being sent to you to set the record straight."

Leland's letter says Belville is the only source for residents to buy liquor in the area.

"If the town of Leland had its own ABC Board and store, the town would obtain the spirited liquor sales taxes and profits," the letter says.

Belville receives about 10 percent of its $1.1 million budget from sales at its two liquor stores.

But it is restaurants that would be most affected if Leland can sell liquor, Councilman Jon Tait said.

Restaurant owners either have to drive to Delco or get the liquor delivered. By law, restaurant owners must buy liquor from the county or the town where they are located.

"It is one of the most important endgames to this situation," Tait said.

And restaurant owners within the town agree.

Oscar Zaragoza, manager and owner of San Felipe Mexican Restaurant, said buying liquor from the county can be a pain.

"And if it's a good week, we usually have to make an extra trip to get liquor," he said. "Time means money in the restaurant industry."

To sign Leland's "call to action," go to http://www.townofleland.com/call-to-action.

<p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9971"><b>Leland</b></a> is hoping residents can prompt legislators to change their decision on withholding a vote this year that would allow the town to sell liquor.</p><p>The "call to action" petition on the town's website asks area representatives to consider giving Leland authority to hold a referendum on giving the council power to create an ABC board and store.</p><p>In June, Susi Hamilton, D-New Hanover, said that she and Frank Iler, R-Brunswick, co-sponsors of the bill, decided not to pursue the legislation this year after neighboring Belville objected to Leland's plans.</p><p>"We want our legislators to know what our people want," said Leland Mayor Brenda Bozeman. "And to let them know their feelings on not having an ABC store."</p><p>Belville has been intent on stopping the legislation, which it calls unfair. </p><p>Mayor Mike Allen has said it gives Leland the power to create a store while ignoring the rules created for the other 18 towns in the county.</p><p>Leland received an exception in 2005 to bypass a local law that says any new ABC stores in Brunswick County cannot be within seven miles of a municipality's store.</p><p>"If we are going to do that, I ask legislators to be fair to all towns," Allen said.</p><p>The town also is sending a letter, dated July 11, to Hamilton saying Leland's letter paints Belville's intentions negatively.</p><p>"As is often the case with our sister municipality, the solicitation paints Belville in a 'bad light,'" the letter reads. "This letter is being sent to you to set the record straight."</p><p>Leland's letter says Belville is the only source for residents to buy liquor in the area. </p><p>"If the town of Leland had its own ABC Board and store, the town would obtain the spirited liquor sales taxes and profits," the letter says.</p><p>Belville receives about 10 percent of its $1.1 million budget from sales at its two liquor stores.</p><p>But it is restaurants that would be most affected if Leland can sell liquor, Councilman Jon Tait said.</p><p>Restaurant owners either have to drive to Delco or get the liquor delivered. By law, restaurant owners must buy liquor from the county or the town where they are located.</p><p>"It is one of the most important endgames to this situation," Tait said.</p><p>And restaurant owners within the town agree.</p><p>Oscar Zaragoza, manager and owner of San Felipe Mexican Restaurant, said buying liquor from the county can be a pain.</p><p>"And if it's a good week, we usually have to make an extra trip to get liquor," he said. "Time means money in the restaurant industry."</p><p>To sign Leland's "call to action," go to http://www.townofleland.com/call-to-action.</p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9907"><b>Jason Gonzales</b></a>: 343-2075</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNews_Jason</p>